The war of nerves between Russia and Japan over Manchuria is heading towards war.
Korea is in desperate 'prayer meta' as the ferry gets caught in a huge typhoon!

Volume 19 deals with the full-scale conflict between Russia and Japan.
After the Boxer Rebellion, the Qing Dynasty completely surrendered to the great powers, and Russia attempted to swallow up Manchuria, which had lost its owner.
Japan, which viewed this as a threat to the Korean Peninsula, took active measures to contain it… .
Meanwhile, Korea took advantage of the chaotic situation to occupy the North Gando region on the Tumen River, but as the dark clouds of the Russo-Japanese War grew, it changed its stance and began appealing to neutral countries.

Empress Dowager Cixi and her party, who were leaving Beijing and heading to Xi'an, thought, "Now, to handle the situation, we must send forward people from the south who can communicate with the Westerners.
… The fact that the governors of the ten southeastern provinces ignored the court’s orders and independently made agreements with the foreigners, but no disciplinary action was taken, was a safety measure in this case.
“I have already appointed Li Hongzhang as the Minister of the Northern Ocean in July. So, let him come up to Beijing immediately and negotiate with the Westerners.”
---From "Chapter 1 DEUS VULT"

We must impose a "fine" on every Chinese person for this incident! Each Chinese person will be assessed one tael (nyang)! That's 450 million tael (nyang) in punitive compensation.
450 million nyang was equivalent to about 70 million pounds in gold at the time.
In 1900 the British naval budget was 22 million pounds.
In 21st-century terms, that would be roughly 250 trillion won. "Oh, well, we're not just going to pay all of that compensation. We're also investing some of it in China's education, so please take it easy."
---From Chapter 4, Boxer Protocol

So, Catholic priests began missionary work in earnest on Jeju Island in 1898-1899.
Of course, not only did Jeju Confucian scholars strongly oppose it, but Jeju shamans also strongly opposed it.
Some Catholics acted violently out of self-righteousness.
Catholics are in collusion with the Bongse-gwan.
They are at the forefront of harassing the residents with taxes.
On May 6, 1901, the Daejeong County Citizens' Association was held to denounce corruption in education and taxation.
With Oh Dae-hyeon as the leader, they head towards Jeju Castle.
On May 14, armed Catholics attacked Oh Dae-hyeon and his party in Hanrim.
Accordingly, the mood of the citizens is rapidly turning towards hardline stance.
“The time for patience is over! Let’s fatten our tangerine trees with the blood of our fellow Koreans!”
---From Chapter 7, ISLAND

“Don’t focus too much on Manchuria, but look at the Korean Peninsula below.
In fact, even without completely annexing Manchuria, if we seize control of the northern part of the Korean Peninsula, we can maintain Manchuria entirely within the Russian sphere of influence through the northern part of the Korean Peninsula! We can scoop up Manchuria with the Korean Peninsula as a ladle! If the northern part of the Korean Peninsula becomes a Russian defensive line, we can completely control all access to Manchuria by land and sea!” The Bezobrazzov group, backed by the Tsar, won the line struggle.
---From "Chapter 12, The Yalu River is a murmur"

Regarding the Gando issue, many government leaders in Seoul were reluctant to actively advance, but with the push of Minister of Finance Lee Yong-ik, who had the support of the emperor, the argument for advancement became the mainstream.
“Yuan Shikai, even if you beat him to death, he won’t come down!! What will future generations say if we just blow this chance to recover our homeland?!” With Lee Yong-ik’s support, Lee Beom-yoon organized a militia (probably mixed with regular troops).
In July 1903, the operation began by crossing the Tumen River at Jongseong.
“Ah, this is truly the Great Britain of the 20th century!” By the end of 1903, the entire North Gando region was occupied.
---From "Chapter 13: Return to Goto!"

Throughout the second half of 1903, public opinion in Japan exploded with fervent anti-Russian sentiment! "Lunch in Port Arthur! Dinner in Vladivostok!" Even in the parliament, all political parties condemned the outbreak of war.
Public criticism of Ito, who advocated for war avoidance and negotiations with Russia, reached the point of assassination threats.
“If the ending is surrender without war, you will be pierced in the stomach!”
---From "Chapter 17 Final Negotiations"

On February 4, 1904, the declaration of war against Russia was confirmed at the Imperial Conference.
“We tried our best to resolve the issue through dialogue and persevered until the very end, but given the current situation, there is no other option.” February 6, Combined Fleet & Sub-Fleet set sail.
The main force of the Combined Fleet goes to Port Arthur to capture the Russian Pacific Fleet.
The Incheon-bound squadron escorts the troops to subdue Seoul.
The Busan-bound squadron occupied key locations on the southern coast of the Korean Peninsula.
On February 8, at the Imperial Conference, the Russian leadership was still circulating hopes of avoiding war.
On the night of February 8th, while the Russian army in Port Arthur was preparing countermeasures.
Taking advantage of the darkness, a Japanese destroyer squadron approaches the outer harbor of Port Arthur.
Ten Japanese destroyers fired 16 torpedoes.
“This is… definitely war now, right?;;;”
---From Chapter 20, The Beginning of the War

February 23, 1904, the [Korea-Japan Protocol] was signed in Seoul.
“Wow, the Korea-Japan alliance is strong!!” ‘… In the event of a rebellion in Korea, Japan may take military measures to ensure Korea’s security, and for this purpose, may expropriate and use any necessary land within the Korean Peninsula.’ ‘… From now on, Korea cannot enter into agreements with other countries that violate this treaty without Japan’s approval.’ The international community interpreted this [Korea-Japan Protocol] as Korea becoming a Japanese protectorate.
“Yeah, Korea has become a Japanese protectorate.”
---From Chapter 20, The Beginning of the War

At 4:30 a.m. on August 10, 1904, the Russian Pacific Fleet departed Port Arthur.
The Japanese side soon detected the departure of the entire Russian fleet.
“The entire Loske fleet is fleeing in the middle of the night!! This is our chance to capture them all at once in a fleet battle!!” From around 1:30 PM, the two sides exchanged fire.
At 17:30, Asahi's first shell hit the bridge of the Tsesarevich.
Admiral Bitgeft and his fleet command were annihilated.
The Russian Pacific Fleet is in chaos! "Ugh!! Everyone, find your own way!!!"
---From Chapter 27, Battle of the Yellow Sea

August 22, 1904, [Korea-Japan Agreement on the Employment of Foreign Advisors] signed.
The so-called first Korea-Japan Agreement.
Each Korean government ministry shall have a foreign advisor, and each ministry's major affairs shall require the foreign advisor's deliberation and approval.
“This is the beginning of torture politics!!”
---From Chapter 29, Liao Dynasty

In Lushun, the second attack by the 3rd Army was underway... "This time, we will proceed with the correct method of attacking the fortress! Digging and bombardment!" From mid-September, work began on digging trenches and tunnels toward the fortress.
Eighteen 280mm guns were transferred from the forts in Tokyo Bay and Osaka Bay, and bombardment began on October 1.
There was even a moment when the Japanese flag was planted on the summit of Hill 203.
They were immediately repelled by a counterattack by the Russian army.
In the end, the attack on Hill 203 was abandoned.
So the second attack by the worms also ended in failure... On October 30th, the offensive was stopped.
Casualties: approximately 1,300.
“At this point, a fundamental question arises… Why was it necessary to take Lushun while causing such chaos?”
---From Chapter 31, "The Stars of the North Sea"

The Battle of Hill 203 lasted for five days starting on December 1st.
“Tenno Heika Uraa!!!” “Char Banzai!!!” The owner of the summit changed several times.
Finally, on the fifth day, the final Russian counterattack was blocked, and on December 5, 1904, the Japanese army captured Hill 203.
It is said that there were 8,000 casualties in this five-day highland battle alone;; On December 15, the Japanese army blew up the Donggyegwansan fort through a tunnel under it.
Then, on January 1, 1905, Fort No. 2, which had been so ruthlessly attacked, was also blown up through a tunnel.
On January 5, 1905, the Russian forces in Port Arthur formally surrendered, ending the Siege of Port Arthur after four and a half months.

---From "Chapter 33: End of Lushun"